Updated the Xena Episode Stills with the episode that launched yet another thousand fanfic stories and in the process Xena created Lucifer the King of Hell..not sure what Hades has to say about that but hey this was the new paradigm; the Greek Gods were in decline and all of that.
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Xena Season 6 Episode 3: Heart of Darkness
SCRIBES & SCROLLS: Story by Emily Skopov. Directed by Mark Beesley.
Edited by Tim Batt.
PASSING PARADE: Alex Mendoza (Lucifer); Adrienne Wilkinson (Eve);
Greg Lee (Virgil); Charles Mesure (Michael); Tamati Rice (Raphael)
Kara Douglas (Aliyah).
DISCLAIMER: All Hell broke loose during the filming of this motion picture.
STORY SO FAR: Xena tries to make an archangel take her place as King of Hell. Meanwhile, everyone starts turning to their darker sides, as an unaffected Eve tries to intervene.
REWIND FOR: Lucifer staggering under the weight of his virtue. Or more precisely his angelic wings. As he stands in the town square, have a look at his approach to camera as he delivers the line: "Well, I'm more than an angel, I'm an archangel." The actor almost topples forward as he moves in for his close-up. *snicker*
The dance scene between Xena and Gabrielle. Subtext fans will no doubt have already worn a hole in their tape rewinding this scene (all the while pleading on their knees - "why wasn't there *more*?!") A lusty Virgil turned up to continue his father's legacy of being a major butt-inski, serving no obvious purpose at that moment except perhaps to remind us of the existence of his gender (lest we were forgetful). Warms the heart to see a son continuing his father's work...
Favourite gesture: Xena flicking her hair with her sword as she flirts with Lucifer. Miss Piggy is not dead!
Gabrielle 'throwing in the towel' thereby interrupting Xena's lip lock with Lucifer. Xena's slow turn and semi-indignant drawled, "Yessss?" as Gabrielle gives her The Look is classic Oh baby, those two were adoring this episode. Gotta love Gabrielle's altogether unconvincing explanation that she was merely refocusing Xena's attention to the task at hand.
QUOTABLE:
"Xena will never go down to Hell voluntary." Not true, Michael, she went there to save Gabrielle in the season five opener Fallen Angel. She also went down there in the last episode to tackle Mephistophaeles head on. Pay attention, wooden lad.
"I'm sure of both my faith and my devotion. Which has fuelled my speedy ascent up the hierarchy. A climb that will continue with a promotion to Seraphin." Lucifer opens his Seven Deadly Sins Bonus Saver account with a large deposit of sinful Pride.
"A great evil is coming Gabrielle, I can feel it." Eve gets wind of the death knell memo from StudioUSA cancelling 'Mother's' syndicated TV show.
"I've come to offer my services. After everything you've done for the city and our people." Aliyah, presumably a native of Amphipolis(?) appears from nowhere to pet Xena's horse. All in thanks for saving a long deserted town. *Where* did that girl spring from?
"You don't mind if I call you Lucy do you?" Lucy aka Xena lets us in on a little in-joke, while at the same time inferring Xena thinks Lucifer is a bit of a girl.
"It's not called corruption if you just peel away the layers to expose the rotten core. That is, unless you *want* Mommy to go to Hell." Xena proves she's a fast learner, in becoming a dab hand at the ol' maternal guilt trip angle. The witless Eve never stood a chance.
"You look tastier than I remember." Virgil shows an unhealthy interest in 'Aunty' Gabrielle. Thereby ensuring his imminent and painful death at the hands of Xena. To quote the Warrior Princess: "You're new around here right?"
"....you're a mortal female with a lying tongue, savage tendencies and a blond girlfriend. I'm a celibate archangel in the service of the lord." Lucifer shows off his powers of observation. And he finally settled the blonde/redhead debate. *g*
"Mother! Your purpose will not be served by subjecting this temple or this town to further desecration." Spoilsport. Eve gets the, er, *best* lines. It's also beyond me how she kept a straight face when her mother was carried into the temple wearing a sieve on her face. But mothers are sent to embarrass us...
Best Comeback:
Michael: "You dare talk of dirty work, when you besmirch so many souls with your nefarious filth."
Xena: "Besmirch? Is that even a word?"
Gabrielle: "Xena, no one is ready to got to Hell. That's the point."
Xena: "Really? Well, you and Virgil were looking ready to burn not long ago."